Yum! This is really an appetizer or a side, but I could have this for dinner and be happy. I love garden tomatoes and for the first time this year, I planted herbs! I have been loving the fresh flavors emerging from my garden.

I wish I could call this bruschetta, because that would just be cool, but since I didn’t toast this, I can’t call it that. If you want to brush with olive oil and toast your bread, call it bruschetta. It will impress your guests! 🙂

I love the crusty French bread, but to be honest, my favorite is the combination of it all together! My mouth is watering.

Mix water, sugar, oil and yeast together until yeast starts to activate.

Mix flour and salt together.

Make a well in the flour and add yeast mixture.

Combine until well mixed.

Allow dough to rest and rise for about 1-2 hours until at least double.

Punch down and turn onto an oiled area.

Roll into 9x12 rectangle and roll like a jellyroll to make a long loaf of bread.

Cut diagonal slits in top.

Allow to rise another 30 minutes until double.

Brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Put a small pan filled with water in the oven and then preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Once oven is heated, put bread in and bake for 25 minutes until brown.

Notes

This bread is best eaten fresh. If you choose to store it, the crust will soften if put into a plastic bag. Either store by covering with a towel once cooled, or in a paper bag.

By Balm to My Soul

Adapted from A Taste of Heaven

Adapted from A Taste of Heaven

Balm to my Soul http://balmtomysoul.com/

My favorite part — eating!

Here is what you will need to assemble:

tomatoes, sliced

fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

olive oil

balsamic vinegar

fresh basil, washed and dried

salt and freshly ground pepper

Cut French bread, and layer with cheese, tomato, and basil. Pour 2 parts vinegar to one part olive oil into a small dipping bowl. You can either dip your bread in the bowl or drizzle on top and eat! Delish!

I first had this when I lived in Gold Beach, Oregon for a year. I was immediately addicted. It is one of my favorite summer appetizers.

Wife, mother of twins, speaker, and creator of Balm to My Soul.I love to write, speak, sleep, snuggle and, if I really get lucky, inspire and help others. I am clearly imperfect but determined to be a little better every day. Some days are better than others! Thanks for stopping by!

About Elizabeth

Wife, mother of twins, speaker, and creator of Balm to My Soul. I love to write, speak, sleep, snuggle and, if I really get lucky, inspire and help others. I am clearly imperfect but determined to be a little better every day. Some days are better than others! Thanks for stopping by!

24 thoughts on “Homemade French Bread with Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella”

Yum! I’ve never made my own French bread before but this looks amazing! The last two years I’ve managed to keep an herb garden alive, which has been pretty awesome. I like using fresh cilantro in tacos/fajitas and parsley when I make pasta sauce. I even have some chives I’ve grown since seedlings! I don’t have the greenest thumb… Haha! Pinning this for later!Caroline recently posted…Slow Cooker Golden Mushroom Pork & Apples {Make Ahead Meal}

Strangely, I don’t think I’ve ever officially had bruschetta. But I have had something very similar. Basil is one of my favorite herbs! I love making pesto, and I have to make this now!Charlee Anne recently posted…Songs We Love: “The Wheels on the Bus”

Ah! GF is a challenge, especially with bread. I have heard finding a good recipe with the right combination of flours is a challenge. Especially to get the right consistency. Thanks for stopping over. I love fresh herbs too!

I could easily just eat this for dinner too! I cannot wait to get into the new house full time and start making my own bread again. I have made french bread, but it isn’t “perfected” yet. I’ll try your recipe and see how it goes!

You know, sometimes my bread turns out and sometimes it doesn’t. Isn’t that funny! This turned out great – crunchy on the outside and chewy inside. But, the next day, it wasn’t as good. I did put it in a plastic bag, though, because I forgot!!